Perez will continue to be a part of Red Bull beyond the summer break.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has suggested that the team may alter its Formula 1 driver lineup for the 2025 season, despite the decision to retain Sergio Perez after the break.
Red Bull’s recent contract extension for Perez seemed to secure the team’s driver pairing for the upcoming regulation change in 2026.
However, Perez’s contract extension has not resulted in improved performance, as he has only scored 28 points in eight rounds leading up to the break.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner referred to Perez’s struggles as “unsustainable” at Silverstone, as McLaren has closed the gap in the championship to 42 points.
Despite the team’s senior members evaluating Perez’s position earlier this week, the Mexican driver has been given another opportunity to continue alongside Max Verstappen.
“Checo remains a Red Bull Racing driver, despite recent speculation,” Horner stated. “We look forward to seeing him perform at circuits where he has previously excelled after the summer break.”
Red Bull’s decision means that Daniel Ricciardo will not be able to return to Red Bull at Zandvoort, but he will still retain his role as a Red Bull driver.
“Perez is staying. We want to bring him back to his previous level,” Marko added in an interview with F1 Insider. “Ricciardo is also staying. Nothing will change.”
However, Ricciardo finds himself in a unique position where his performance could either earn him a promotion to the main team or lead to him being dropped altogether.
Liam Lawson, Red Bull’s reserve driver who impressed during his substitute appearances for Ricciardo last season, could potentially partner with Yuki Tsunoda.
Marko has previously stated that Red Bull’s shareholders are keen on integrating young talent into the team’s sister side, which was rebranded as RB in 2024.
The Austrian has fueled speculation that both Perez and Ricciardo’s positions within Red Bull are not secure, stating that “the deck will be reshuffled once again for 2025.”
However, Horner emphasized during media discussions that “nobody wants to make that decision.” He explained, “You know, I mean, obviously you guys talk about it every day. But within the team, we want to get him back on track.”
He further stated, “Checo has had a difficult run in the past few races. What’s particularly confusing for us is that the season started off so well for him. We need to review and understand the issues that arise during the races. We have the time to do that and analyze it, and work with him.”
